The research aims at improving child- and adolescent mental health and focuses on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and emotion regulation. NSSI includes behaviors performed intentionally to harm oneself, such as cutting, burning, or scratching skin, without suicidal intent. NSSI is a significant mental health issue in adolescents and is associated with impairments in emotion regulation. Effective methods for preventing and treating NSSI are needed. We are developing novel approaches for preventing and treating NSSI in adolescents, such as combining emotion regulation skills with real-time biofeedback using facial electromyography (EMG) and real-time neurofeedback with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Photo credit David Brohede